If you’re a teacher or homeschooling parent, you probably spend more of your own money on books than anyone would guess. So here’s my honest guide to free nonfiction books for teachers and homeschoolers: where to actually find them, which programmes are worth your time, and one way to get brand new books before they’re even published.

I’m Jenny, and I write nonfiction for kids. I’ve published around 50 books since 2012, most of them fact books about animals for children aged 9 to 12, and a lot of my favourite readers are teachers and homeschooling families. I also run AuthorWing ARC Readers, a free club where readers get new nonfiction books before they’re published. I’ll explain how that works below, alongside plenty of other options that have nothing to do with me.

Where to get free nonfiction books: the quick list

Option	What you get	Best for
ARC programmes (like AuthorWing)	New ebooks before publication, free, in return for an optional honest review	Teachers and parents who like sharing their opinion
Your public library app (such as Libby)	Free ebook and audiobook loans with a library card	Everyone
Project Gutenberg	Free public domain classics	Older history and science texts, primary sources
Book donation programmes	Free physical books for classrooms	Teachers at qualifying (often underfunded) schools
NetGalley	Advance copies from big publishers	Educators who review regularly

Let’s go through them.

1. Free nonfiction ARCs: new books before they’re published

ARC stands for advance reader copy: a free copy of a book that authors send out before launch, in the hope of honest reviews (I’ve explained it fully in What is an ARC?). Most ARC programmes are full of romance and fantasy. AuthorWing ARC Readers is the opposite: it’s nonfiction only, and children’s nonfiction is one of the topics you can choose.

Here’s how it works:

1. Join for free and tick the topics you’re interested in, such as children’s nonfiction, history, science and nature, or animals.
2. We approve every reader personally, usually within a couple of days.
3. Claim the books you want from the current list. You’ll get an ebook (EPUB or PDF) that works on Kindle, tablets, phones and computers.
4. Read it within 21 days, ideally with the children it’s written for, and leave an honest review if you can.

There’s no cost and no obligation to claim anything. You can have two books open at a time, which keeps it manageable alongside lesson planning, marking and everything else.

A small but important note: each copy is made for you personally, with your email printed in it, so please don’t share the file with your class or other families. Reading it together is exactly what it’s for. Passing the file on isn’t.

Why authors love reviews from teachers and homeschoolers

When parents shop for children’s nonfiction, they want to know three things: is it right for my child’s age, is it accurate, and will my child actually enjoy it? A review from a teacher or homeschooling parent answers all three. You know reading levels, you know what holds a child’s attention, and you can say whether a book fits a topic you teach.

Honestly, one thoughtful review from a teacher can do more for a children’s nonfiction book than ten “my kids loved it!” reviews. As an author, I read every one.

How to review a children’s nonfiction book (a simple template)

You don’t need to write an essay. Five or six sentences covering these points is perfect:

• Age and reading level: “Great for ages 8 to 11. My 9-year-old read it on her own; my 6-year-old needed help.”
• How the children reacted: “We kept stopping to look things up because they had so many questions.”
• Accuracy and depth: “The facts were up to date and nicely explained, without being dumbed down.”
• Classroom or homeschool use: “This would fit well with a unit on habitats or food chains.”
• Anything you’d change: “I’d have liked a glossary at the back.”
• The free copy line: “I received a free advance copy and am leaving this review voluntarily.”

That last line matters. Saying you got the book for free keeps your review honest and in line with the rules.

Turn it into a learning activity

Reviewing a book is a brilliant literacy exercise, and children usually love being asked for their opinion. A few ideas that work well:

• Star ratings with reasons. Ask each child to give the book stars and one reason why. Their reasons often make the best lines in your review.
• Fact hunts. Everyone finds the most surprising fact in the book. Great for a quick discussion, and handy for your review too.
• Older kids write a draft. Children aged 10 and up can write a short review themselves, and you edit it into your own words.

One practical point: the review itself needs to be posted by you, from your own account. Amazon accounts are for adults, and Amazon only accepts reviews from customers who have spent at least $50 in the last 12 months (The Children’s Book Review). If you don’t shop much on Amazon, a Goodreads review is just as welcome.

2. Your library’s ebook app

It sounds obvious, but it’s the one most people forget. Most public libraries lend ebooks and audiobooks for free through apps like Libby. All you need is a library card. The nonfiction selection for kids is usually excellent, and many libraries will buy titles if you request them.

3. Free public domain books

Project Gutenberg offers thousands of free ebooks whose copyright has expired. You won’t find modern fact books there, but it’s a goldmine for older history and science writing, original sources and classic natural history. Great for older homeschoolers and for teachers building their own resources.

4. Free book programmes for schools

If you teach in the US, several organisations give free physical books to classrooms, mostly to schools in need. These are some of the best known (Waterford):

• First Book: free and low-cost books for educators at eligible organisations, often just paying shipping.
• Kids Need to Read: free books for underfunded schools and libraries, with applications open most months.
• Lisa Libraries: donations to underfunded schools and children’s organisations.
• Library of Congress Surplus Books Program: free surplus books for schools and educational organisations.
• Better World Books: book donations to schools, libraries and literacy groups around the world.

Eligibility changes, so check each programme’s own site before applying.

5. NetGalley

NetGalley is where big publishers share digital review copies, and educators can join as readers. It’s well worth a look for children’s and young adult titles from traditional publishers. Publishers approve requests based on your profile, so it helps to have reviewed a few books already.

What to look for in a good children’s nonfiction book

Whether a book is free or not, it has to earn its place on your shelf. After writing kids’ fact books for over a decade, these are the things I’d look for (and the things I try hardest to get right myself):

• Accuracy. Facts should be current and checked. Animal numbers, scientific names and “biggest/fastest” claims go out of date surprisingly quickly.
• Real photos or careful illustrations. For animals and nature especially, children learn so much from a clear, real photograph.
• Short, punchy sections. Kids dip in and out of nonfiction. Fact boxes, headings and bite-sized chapters keep reluctant readers going.
• A voice that respects children. The best books explain big ideas simply without talking down to anyone.
• Something to do. Quizzes, activities or “try this at home” ideas turn reading into learning.
• A human author. There are a lot of AI-generated fact books on Amazon now, often with mistakes. Check that the author is a real person with a track record.

Tips for getting approved for free review copies

• Write a few reviews first. Review three or four books you already own on Amazon or Goodreads. Programmes look at your reviewer profile, and a few thoughtful reviews make a big difference.
• Mention that you’re a teacher or homeschooler. Authors of children’s books will be delighted.
• Pick topics that match your teaching. You’ll actually use the books, and your reviews will be better for it.
• Don’t over-claim. Start with one book. Term time gets busy.

Questions teachers and parents ask

Are AuthorWing books really free?

Yes, completely. There’s no subscription and no hidden cost. Authors provide the books because honest reviews help them, and reviews are always optional.

Can I read an ARC with my class?

Yes, reading it together is exactly what it’s for. Just don’t share the ebook file itself with students or other families.

Do I need to be a certified teacher?

No. Homeschooling parents, tutors, librarians, grandparents and anyone who reads with children is very welcome.

I’m not in the US. Can I still join?

Yes. AuthorWing ARC Readers is open worldwide, and you can review on whichever Amazon store you use, or on Goodreads.

Can my child write the review?

Your child’s opinions are gold, so do include them. But the review needs to be posted by you from your own account, in your own words.